scholarly journals Effect of temperature, rainfall and relative density of rodent reservoir hosts on zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis incidence in Central Tunisia

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-96 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Tabasi ◽  
Ali Asghar Alesheikh ◽  
Aioub Sofizadeh ◽  
Bahram Saeidian ◽  
Biswajeet Pradhan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is a neglected tropical disease worldwide, especially the Middle East. Although previous works attempt to model the ZCL spread using various environmental factors, the interactions between vectors (Phlebotomus papatasi), reservoir hosts, humans, and the environment can affect its spread. Considering all of these aspects is not a trivial task. Methods An agent-based model (ABM) is a relatively new approach that provides a framework for analyzing the heterogeneity of the interactions, along with biological and environmental factors in such complex systems. The objective of this research is to design and develop an ABM that uses Geospatial Information System (GIS) capabilities, biological behaviors of vectors and reservoir hosts, and an improved Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered (SEIR) epidemic model to explore the spread of ZCL. Various scenarios were implemented to analyze the future ZCL spreads in different parts of Maraveh Tappeh County, in the northeast region of Golestan Province in northeastern Iran, with alternative socio-ecological conditions. Results The results confirmed that the spread of the disease arises principally in the desert, low altitude areas, and riverside population centers. The outcomes also showed that the restricting movement of humans reduces the severity of the transmission. Moreover, the spread of ZCL has a particular temporal pattern, since the most prevalent cases occurred in the fall. The evaluation test also showed the similarity between the results and the reported spatiotemporal trends. Conclusions This study demonstrates the capability and efficiency of ABM to model and predict the spread of ZCL. The results of the presented approach can be considered as a guide for public health management and controlling the vector population.


2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Akhoundi ◽  
Mehdi Mohebali ◽  
Mina Asadi ◽  
Mohamad Reza Mahmodi ◽  
Kamyar Amraei ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Walid Barhoumi ◽  
Ifhem Chelbi ◽  
Wasfi Fares ◽  
Sami Zhioua ◽  
Mohamed Abbas ◽  
...  

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), endemic in Central and Southern Tunisia, is caused by Leishmania major (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), which is transmitted by the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi. In Tunisia, the fat sand rat Psammomys obesus and the desert jird Meriones shawi are the principal reservoir hosts of L. major. The presence of the P. papatasi vector of the L. major etiologic agent of ZCL was assessed in the vicinity of villages in endemic areas of Central Tunisia. The study was performed from September through October 2019, a period corresponding to the main peak of activity of P. papatasi. Sand flies were collected from rodent burrows located at the ecotone level, which is the transition zone between the natural environment and human settlement. Sand flies were identified to species level and tested for the presence of L. major by PCR. Our entomological survey showed that P. papatasi is the most abundant sand fly species associated with rodent burrows, and this abundance is even higher in ecotones primarily occupied by P. obesus in comparison to ecotones occupied by M. shawi. Infections with Leishmania major were detected only in P. papatasi, with an overall minimum infection rate (MIR) of 2.64%. No significant difference was observed between the MIRs in ecotones of P. obesus and of M. shawi. Incidence of ZCL in the studied areas ranged from 200 to 700 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with a mean incidence of 385.41 per 100,000. Higher ZCL incidence was identified in ecotones of M. shawi compared to ecotones of P. obesus. ZCL cases are positively correlated with the MIRs. Considering the short flight range of P. papatasi, increases in its densities associated with burrows of P. obesus or M. shawi at the ecotone level expand the overlap of infected vectors with communities and subsequently increase ZCL incidence. Therefore, control measures should target P. papatasi populations at the ecotones.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hedia Bellali ◽  
Fraj Chemak ◽  
Issam Nouiri ◽  
Dorra Ben Mansour ◽  
Jamila Ghrab ◽  
...  

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